Blood, Sweat & Tears (9pm Show)

Bo Bice

Blood, Sweat & Tears

A musical institution, Blood, Sweat & Tears has left an indelible mark on the American music scene since 1968. One of the greatest horn bands in the history of popular music, their alumni roster reads like a Who's Who of the world's greatest jazz and rock musicians. As the band has evolved through the years, it has maintained its commitment to high standards by including in its current roster the most talented musicians available.

Just Announced: BS&T will be fronted by Bo Bice!

Bo Bice

Singer/songwriter Bo Bice, tapped to be the new lead singer for Blood, Sweat & Tears, had an impressive career long before he first came to the attention of the great, horn-driven jazz rock band. Raised in the Southeast, as well as England, Bice's musical tastes were influenced by everything from country music, southern rock, gospel music to English rock.

His first significant breakthrough, however, came via his supercharged appearances on American Idol. Although he was one of the show's oldest contestants, he finished as the runner-up to Carrie Underwood, the winner of the fourth A.I. Season.

Typically, Bice – a thoughtful commentator on life and music – told Rolling Stone that his persistent thought during the final American Idol judging was “Please, God, don't let me win this thing,” adding that “It would have been hard to play my kind of music if I'd won.”

As it turned out, his perspective soon began to change. Bice's American Idol appearances in fact had a powerful impact upon both the range and the scope of his musical repertoire, which has now been positioned to expand considerably. And it all began, ironically, when his A.I. Career was impacted by his decision to sing the Blood, Sweat & Tears classic, “Spinning Wheel” in the competition.

The A.I. judges' highly complimentary responses to Bice's dynamic performance of the song included remarks such as “You're already a superstar,” “This is the way to get it done,” and “You look like you've been doing this for 20 years.”

But the judges weren't the only ones – in addition to the huge television audiences – who were closely watching Bo Bice's high voltage, crowd-pleasing A.I. Appearances. Bobby Colomby, founder and drummer of the original B,S&T, as well as manager/producer of BS&T, also watched Bice's appearances on American Idol with similarly enthusiastic reactions. Discussing Bice's efforts on the show, Colomby underscores his fascination with Bice's singing, praising his “great musicianship” and “impressive choice of songs.”

Bice was equally delighted by Colomby's interest in his work, well aware of his many music world successes. Even so, he was startled when Colomby reached out to him, offering Bice the opportunity to become the lead singer with Blood, Sweat & Tears.

“I was very excited,” says Bice, “when he asked me to go out with the band and do five or six shows with them. How incredible was that – to be singing in place of David Clayton Thomas in a band that had Al Kooper, Jaco Pastorius and so many great players. Bobby has an incredible ear, and eye, for talent. He's not only been a major part of making Blood, Sweat & Tears what it is, but he's done so much for other artists, too. Our relationship is just beginning, but I'm hoping it's going to go on for many years to come. There's a lot I can learn from a fella like B.C. It's a very different vibe for me, doing Blood, Sweat & Tears stuff, but also I have to say it's very challenging. The singers who have been involved with this band have been phenomenal over the years, doing some great songs. So now I have the chance to go out there and put my own spin on some of these very familiar tunes. I want the fans, when they come out to hear us, to remember the songs the way that I remember them.”

“I feel,” says Bice, “that Bobby and the Blood, Sweat & Tears team are ready to move forward and put out some more great music. I see it as a team effort, very much like a football team, or a basketball team. Everybody's got their position and I hope that as the singer, I'll be a key ingredient in helping it all come together. I consider it an honor that Bobby would trust me enough with his baby to ask me to be a part of it.”

The Colomby/Bice/Blood, Sweat & Tears team's first season together is well underway, with Bice already touring with the band, and eagerly anticipating the new recording that is in the works.

“It's a new challenge for me,” concludes Bo Bice, “and one with great potential. On the stage or in the studio. And I'm looking forward to it. I know that with someone like Bobby Colomby at the helm, the music of New Blood, Sweat & Tears will continue to change lives, and at the end of the day will speak for itself.”